Monroe County Jury Convicted Man of Murder
Edison Estremera-Cohen was found guilty of murder and robbery following a Rochester shootout.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Violence
A jury convicted 35-year-old Edison Estremera-Cohen of second-degree murder and robbery in the death of 30-year-old David Vazquez. The trial followed an incident where Estremera-Cohen engaged in a shootout with Rochester police.
Why it matters
The conviction brings legal closure to a violent sequence that began with a fatal robbery and escalated into an armed confrontation with local law enforcement. Prosecutors successfully linked the defendant to the victim through evidence gathered during the investigation.
Estremera-Cohen was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and four counts of second-degree weapon possession. Sentencing is currently scheduled for November 13, 2026.
The players
Edison Estremera-Cohen
The 35-year-old defendant was convicted of murder, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon.
David Vazquez
The 30-year-old victim was found dead at a vacant house on Oscar Street with multiple gunshot wounds.
Rochester Police Department
Officers from this agency engaged in a shootout with the defendant following the robbery.
The details
Estremera-Cohen killed 30-year-old David Vazquez at a vacant house on Oscar Street before fleeing on a bicycle. During a subsequent foot chase near North Clinton Avenue, the defendant fired a handgun at an officer, who sustained head and ear injuries from a muzzle flash.
Timeline
June 22, 2025: David Vazquez was found dead at the Oscar Street scene.
September 21, 2026: A jury convicted Edison Estremera-Cohen of murder, robbery, and weapons charges.
November 13, 2026: Estremera-Cohen is scheduled for sentencing.
Legal Context
This case follows standard judicial protocols for violent felonies involving firearm use and police confrontations within New York. It underscores the ongoing application of these laws in cases involving fatal robberies and subsequent engagement with law enforcement.
The conviction concludes a high-profile case involving a shooting near North Clinton Avenue that posed a direct threat to public safety. Residents are no longer at risk from the suspect, who has been taken into police custody following the shootout.
The takeaway
The use of body-worn camera footage played a pivotal role in the jury's decision during this trial. This outcome emphasizes the increasing reliance on digital evidence to substantiate testimonies in complex criminal investigations.
What happens next
Edison Estremera-Cohen is scheduled to appear in court for his sentencing hearing on November 13, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit Violence.
